WoodCentral's Picks
     Here are some lists of important woodworking books compiled by John Kelsey at our request. All titles were in print when this page was created, but we can't guarantee they still are.

    These lists are not intended to be exhaustive or necessarily complete, but there are no clunkers in here either. We will add other worthy titles as they occur to us, including a reading list of works by WoodCentral regulars. Meanwhile, please don't hesitate to recommend your own favorites!

  • ALL-TIME BEST BOOKS!
  • MOST ESSENTIAL BOOKS!
  • TOP FURNITUREMAKING BOOKS!

    •  
     
    All-Time Best Woodworking Books
    Nicely produced, mind-expanding and influential, these books are generally acknowledged to be among the all-time best woodworking books:
    • Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley
               Hardcover. Price: $39.95
    • A Cabinetmaker's Notebook by James Krenov
               Paperback. Price: $21.95
    • Soul of a Tree by George Nakashima
               Paperback. Price: $45.00
    • Nature & Aesthetics of Design by David Pye
               Paperback. Price: $22.95
    • Traite d'Ebenisterie by L. Chanson
               Hardcover. Price: $125.00
    • Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono
               Paperback. Price: $7.95
    • Japanese Woodworking Tools by Toshio Odate
               Paperback. Price: $24.95
    • Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking by Tage Frid
               Paperback. Price: $29.95
    • Hans Wegner on Design by Hans Wegner
               Paperback. Price: $50.00
    • Sam Maloof: Woodworker by Sam Maloof
               Paperback. Price: $50.00

     

    Essential Woodworking Books
    They may not qualify as the all-around best woodworking books, but here are some titles that rank at or near the top of many woodworkers' "must have" list:

    • Elements of Woodcarving by Chris Pye
               Paperback. Price: $17.95
    • Nature & Art of Workmanship by David Pye
               Paperback. Price: $22.95
    • The New Woodfinishing Book by Michael Dresdner
               Paperback. Price: $19.95
    • Sharpening with Waterstones* by Ian Kirby
               Paperback. Price: $13.00
    • Turning Wood with Richard Raffan by Richard Raffan
               Paperback. Price: $21.95
    • Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley
               Hardcover. Price: $39.95
    • Encyclopedia of Furniture Making by Ernest Joyce
               Paperback. Price: $24.95
    • Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking by Tage Frid
               Paperback. Price: $29.95
    • Setting Up Shop by Sandor Nagyszalanczy
               Hardcover. Price: $24.00
    • Mastering Woodworking Machines* by Mark Duginske
               Paperback. Price: $22.00

     

    Top Furnituremaking Books
    Here are the titles that furniture-making woodworkers ought to own. We've left out books on period styles and projects.

    • Elements of Woodcarving by Chris Pye
               Paperback. Price: $17.95
    • The Chairmaker's Workshop by Drew Langsner
               Paperback. Price: $24.00
    • The Nature & Art of Workmanship by David Pye
               Paperback. Price: $22.95
    • Woodworkers Guide to Furniture Design by Garth Graves
               Hardcover. Price: $27.99
    • The New Woodfinishing Book by Michael Dresdner
               Paperback. Price: $19.95
    • Illustrated Handbook of Furniture Restoration by George Buchanan
               Paperback. Price: $29.95
    • Furniture Mouldings by EJ Warne
               Paperback. Price: $16.95
    • Hand Tools, Their Ways and Workings* by Aldren Watson
               Hardcover. Price: $20.00
    • A Woodworker's Guide to Joints by Jim Kingshott
               Paperback. Price: $22.95
    • The Veneering Book* by David Square
               Paperback. Price: $20.00
    • Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight
               Spiral-bound. Price: $17.95
    • The Accurate Router by Ian Kirby
               Paperback. Price: $14.95
    • The Accurate Tablesaw by Ian Kirby
               Paperback. Price: $14.95
    • Sharpening with Waterstones* by Ian Kirby
               Paperback. Price: $13.00
    • A Cabinetmaker's Notebook by James Krenov
               Paperback. Price: $21.95
    • Dictionary of Woodworking Tools by RA Salaman
               Paperback. Price: $39.95
    • Turning Wood with Richard Raffan by Richard Raffan
               Paperback. Price: $21.95
    • Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley
               Hardcover. Price: $39.95
    • Upholstery, A Complete Course by David James
               Paperback. Price: $20.95
    • Bending Wood* by "FWW on" series
               Paperback. Price: $7.50
    • Encyclopedia of Furniture Making by Ernest Joyce
               Paperback. Price: $24.95
    • Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking by Tage Frid
               Paperback. Price: $29.95
    • Tage Frid Teaches Furnituremaking by Tage Frid
               Hardcover. Price: $24.95
    • Controlling Dust in the Workshop by Rick Peters
               Paperback. Price: $14.95
    • Setting Up Shop by Sandor Nagyszalanczy
               Hardcover. Price: $24.00
    • Mastering Woodworking Machines* by Mark Duginske
               Paperback. Price: $22.00
    • Workshop Math by Robert Scharff
               Paperback. Price: $17.95
    • Building Your Own Kitchen Cabinets by Jere Cary
               Paperback. Price: $19.95
    • Appearance & Reality: A Visual Handbook for Artists Designers and Makers by Stephen Hogbin
               Paperback. Price: $29.95